This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Armed gangs target Cape Town schools for protection money, demand 10% of teachers’ salaries GroundUp reports that more than two weeks since armed men visited Zanemfundo Primary School in Phillipi East demanding protection fees from teachers, police have made little progress in investigating the incident and no suspects have been arrested. The incident, which was reported to the SA Police Service (SAPS), took place on 28 February. Teachers were reportedly told to pay 10% of their salaries by Friday, 14 March. Too scared to go to work on Friday, they went to the Education Department’s district offices in Mitchells Plain to voice their safety concerns. Classes were cancelled. One teacher at the school indicated that the perpetrators were known to them and the community, yet the police have not acted. Teachers were being escorted to the school by police officers this week. Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said a private security company had been appointed to be stationed at the school and police were patrolling the area around the school. Similar incidents have reportedly taken place at five other schools in Nyanga, Philippi and Samora Machel. “We can’t talk about this because it involves people’s lives. This is a very serious situation and we can’t risk speaking to the media,” said a teacher at one of the schools. Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed that incidents of extortion had been reported at several schools and that these incidents were being investigated, but “for privacy and security reasons, we are unable to disclose the names of the schools or complainants”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sandiso Phaliso at GroundUp
McDonald’s SA launches investigation after assault of employee at Kenilworth branch The Citizen reports that McDonald’s SA has launched an investigation following a video that emerged showing a male customer allegedly assaulting a female employee at its Kenilworth branch in Cape Town. The incident, which occurred on Monday, has gained significant attention after the video amassed more than one million views on Facebook and spread across social media platforms. The company acknowledged that an incident occurred between a customer and one of its employees. McDonald’s SA’s Daniel Padiachy said: “We are aware of a video circulating online showing an altercation between a customer and one of our employees on Monday, March 17. We take the safety of our employees and customers very seriously and have instituted a full investigation into the matter.” According to information provided by a company employee, the employee was allegedly assaulted by an intoxicated customer who forced his way into the kitchen and physically shoved her. The customer apparently claimed he had waited more than two hours for his food order, but that was denied by workers who were on duty. There were also allegations that no security guards were present during the incident. The source indicated that despite being visibly distressed following the assault, the female employee was apparently required to finish her work shift. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Enkosi Selane and watch the video at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Protest action by EMPD officers causes major traffic disruptions on Wednesday News24 reports that protest action by members of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), that the City strongly condemned, led to significant disruptions across major roads on Wednesday. Videos and pictures of the protest show officers in full uniform and using metro police department vehicles, bringing roads to a standstill. The officers were also observed in a metro department minibus taxi, with the doors open and sirens blaring, as they navigated the highway. The convoy of protest vehicles was followed by a significant traffic backup. City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the protest severely impacted traffic flow on the R24 westbound, particularly between the OR Tambo interchange and Electron interchange, resulting in heavy delays. The N3 Northbound from Heidelberg to Elands also experienced congestion across all lanes, causing extensive traffic congestion. "We strongly condemn this unlawful protest action as it compromises public safety and disrupts the daily commute of thousands of residents and visitors,” Dlamini stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos and view a video at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Lees ook, Onwettige staking van EMPD veroorsaak chaos op paaie, by Maroela Media Ekurhuleni to discipline metro cops who participated in illegal protest BL Premium reports that the Ekurhuleni metro said it would be implementing consequence management against metro police officials who participated in an illegal protest on Wednesday. Disgruntled Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officials used the department’s official vehicles to blockade major arterial routes. “It was an illegal protest action because they did not apply for permission,” Ekurhuleni metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed. The EMPD is part of an essential service, and essential service workers are legally prohibited from striking. The EMPD protest came two weeks after the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) expressed displeasure over Ekurhuleni’s decision to cut overtime pay for its 16,000-strong workforce. In a memorandum of demands dated 26 February, EMPD officers expressed grievances over their salaries, overtime compensation and working conditions, saying historically, officers had benefited from overtime, “which has been regarded as part of their salary, enabling them to meet financial obligations such as loan approvals and other necessities”. The memo reads further: “The employer has now significantly reduced officers’ overtime salaries from 80 hours to 16 hours, which will severely impact their financial stability and overall morale. This drastic reduction will place officers below the standard living scale and erode their financial security, affecting their families and well-being.” Ekurhuleni finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi recently criticised the “culture of overtime” in the municipality, saying the practice should be provided for only in case of emergencies and “extraordinary events”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Ekurhuleni municipality says overtime cuts not limited to EMPD, at EWN. En ook, ‘Tree sterk op teen EMPD oor onwettige staking’, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
‘Minimal disruption’ at SAA as pilots take industrial action for the second time in three months Moneyweb reports that according to SA Airways (SAA), there were minimal flight disruptions on Wednesday morning despite the ‘work-to-rule’ industrial action by pilots. This followed a decision by employees affiliated with the SAA Pilots Association and the National Transport Movement Pilot Forum to take action due to an impasse in a wage dispute. Negotiations over salaries, benefits and work conditions commenced in May 2024, with pilots initially demanding a 30% salary increase, which was later reduced to 15.7%. In November 2024, SAA implemented a 7.2% average salary increase and increased the medical aid subsidy from R2,275 to R4,000 monthly. This was rejected, leading to a pilot strike on 5 December 2024. In December, a compromise agreement was reached during the strike that included a 1% increase in the total cost of employment effective 1 December 2024 and a daily domestic allowance of R200 for all flight deck crew, among other things. However, a final offer still had to be made. SAA’s final offer includes a 7.66% total cost of employment increase from 1 April, followed by 3% annual increases in 2025 and 2026, and a further 3% plus inflation-linked adjustments in 2027. “We consider our offer to the pilots both fair and generous, especially given the financial challenges the airline continues to face. SAA remains dedicated to reaching an amicable resolution through ongoing negotiations and open communication with the pilot body and all stakeholders,” said SAA Group CEO, Prof John Lamola. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Anathi Madubela at Moneyweb. Read too, SAA implements contingency measures to minimise pilots’ protest, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Over R33m spent by police on Stilfontein illegal mining operations, with nearly R10m spent on overtime TimesLIVE reports that according to North West acting police commissioner Maj-Gen Patrick Asaneng, police have spent more than R33m on deployments on Stilfontein illegal mining operations since August 2024. Briefing a joint sitting of parliament’s portfolio committees on police and minerals and petroleum resources regarding illegal mining on Tuesday, Asaneng said R23.6m was spent on deployment costs for 944 police officers and R9.8m on overtime costs. Asaneng said that more than 1,500 illegal miners surfaced from abandoned shafts in Stilfontein and more than 90 bodies were retrieved, while 1,826 suspects were arrested, most of whom were illegal immigrants. They were charged with illegal mining, illegal immigration, possession of gold-bearing material valued at R46m and unlawful possession of explosives. “A total of 242 dockets were opened and all have appeared before the courts. Out of that, 35 dockets have been finalised. There have also been 477 deportations,” Asaneng reported. Investigations to find the alleged illegal mining kingpin James Neo Tshoaeli, known as Tiger, who escaped from custody, are ongoing. “We are making progress. We have engaged with our counterparts in Lesotho. We believe very soon positive results will come out of the investigation,” Asaneng advised. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Innocentia Nkadimeng at BusinessLive Mantashe has no sympathy for zama zamas who get trapped underground EWN reports that Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has admitted that he has no sympathy for illegal miners who get trapped underground. Briefing a joint meeting of Parliament’s police and mineral resources committees on Operation Vala Umgodi on Tuesday, he also said it was false to claim government had refused to rescue zama zamas (illegal miners) from the Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein in the North West and also false that 98 people had died because of delays on the part of government. Mantashe claimed that misinformation had been peddled about the rescue operation in January and that it was untrue that government had had to be forced by an order of court obtained by NGOs to rescue the trapped miners in Stilfontein. According to Mantashe, plans had already been in motion and government could not be blamed for the deaths. "If you take a risk voluntarily, and you enter a dangerous place voluntarily, consequences thereof cannot be the responsibility of somebody else, it’s your own responsibility, you took that risk voluntarily and you entered that place voluntarily," he opined. Mantashe added: "I'm not a sympathiser of illegal miners, I must declare that. I don't sympathise with them." But he elaborated that he had no proof that illegal miners were hired by mining companies to extract minerals from minor deposits. Mantashe also said the mine was not abandoned and the mine owners had been tracked down to China. He said the owners would be held responsible for the R3.5 million rescue mission. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Lindsay Dentlinger at EWN Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
State moves to bail out Amsa’s long steel business BL Premium reports that in a move signalling government’s resolve to keep ArcelorMittal SA’s (Amsa’s) long steel business afloat, the state will over the next year pick up the wage bill of the embattled unit, thereby delaying its closure and saving about 3,500 jobs. “The temporary employee/employer relief scheme (TERS) has approved funding of nearly R417-million to sustain 2,982 employees over the next 12 months,” the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition said on Wednesday. It added: “As a condition of this support, Amsa is required to participate in the productivity SA turnaround and recovery programme. These interventions are not designed to provide direct financial relief to Amsa but are part of a broader strategy to protect SA’s steel industry and ensure the preservation of its industrial capacity. The government remains committed to exploring alternative solutions to sustain long steel production and safeguard jobs.” One of Amsa's anchor shareholders, the Industrial Development Corporation, has also invested R380m in the company, the department advised. The company indicated on Wednesday: “Amsa is engaging with stakeholders, including government, regarding funding and related matters to enable the deferral of the wind down of the longs business, as well as regarding the interventions previously announced. It should be noted that without agreement regarding the funding and related matters, the deferral of the wind down of the longs business will not be feasible. Accordingly, the wind-down process has not been stopped and is being managed in a manner that accommodates ongoing funding discussions.” Long steel products include rebar, wire rods, merchant bar, rails and sections. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, AMSA keeps door open for rescue of steel mills, but wind-down continues for now, at Fin24 (subscription or trial registration required). And also, Almighty scrap breaks out between steel rivals as ArcelorMittal winds down, at Moneyweb
Consumer inflation unchanged in February at 3.2% BusinessLive reports that annual (year-on-year) consumer inflation held steady at 3.2% in February 2025, unchanged from January, according to Stats SA data announced on Wednesday. However, month-on-month inflation accelerated sharply to 0.9% (up from 0.3%), reflecting increased cost pressures in key categories, particularly fuel, financial services and food. Stats SA’s Lekau Ranoto said recreation, sport and culture, food and nonalcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and tobacco and communication recorded higher annual inflation rates in February. “Inflation cooled for several product categories, most notably personal care and miscellaneous services, health, restaurants and accommodation, furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance and transport,” she indicated. Fuel prices surged by 3.9% month-on-month, after an 82c/l petrol price increase at the beginning of February. Food inflation accelerated to 2.8% year-on-year (from 2.3% in January), driven by rising prices for cereals (up 3.9% year-on-year), fruit and nuts (up 6.8% year-on-year), and nonalcoholic beverages (up 8.5% year-on-year). Meat prices were flat year-on-year, while vegetable prices fell slightly. While inflation remained within the SA Reserve Bank’s 3% to 6% target range, the acceleration in inflation on a monthly basis may influence expectations for the Bank’s interest rate decision on Thursday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jana Marx at BusinessLive. Lees ook, Inflasie onveranderd; kos, mediese sorg en brandstof duurder, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Trial of Eastern Cape health department spokesperson over use of 'fraudulent' matric certificate postponed again News24 reports that the trial of Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, failed to kick off on Tuesday due to his senior counsel having commitments in another court. Kupelo briefly appeared in the East London Specialised Commercial Crimes Court following his arrested by the Hawks in April last year on allegations that he used a "fraudulent" matric certificate to get a government job more than 20 years ago. He is facing two counts of fraud, two counts of uttering, and one count of forgery. Kupelo, who is out on R30,000 bail, told the court in July that he intended to plead not guilty to the charges. His attorney said outside court: "There is a strong defence to the allegations against him. When he was appointed, he was not required to produce a matric certificate. He’s got experience. I worked with him at UCR (Unitra Community Radio) in Mthatha." In July, the State said it had seven witnesses and was ready to begin the trial in October. The trial was, however, then postponed to this week due to the unavailability of the State advocate. According to the charge sheet, it is alleged that Kupelo applied for a communication officer post in the Office of the Premier in Bhisho in March 2002. He was appointed a month later. After the department conducted a skills audit on employees in 2020, it was established that Kupelo never had a matric certificate. Instead, he allegedly submitted a fraudulent certificate during his employment. The matter was postponed to 11 July. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Fifteen City Power employees face disciplinary action linked to corruption worth millions EWN reports that fifteen Joburg City Power employees are facing disciplinary action linked to multimillion-rand corruption within the entity. According to the power utility, some of its employees have been colluding with contractors to defraud it. It was recently reported that City Power received a scathing report from the Auditor-General, which found weak internal controls within the organisation leading to irregular expenditure. In October 2023, a senior manager at City Power sounded the alarm over eight companies defrauding the power utility. This was through the filing of fraudulent, duplicate and inflated invoices. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, advised that an investigation into the matter was completed earlier in March. "It was discovered that some of the employees implicated approved payments of contractors' invoices that contained equipment sourced from our very own stores. One of the contractors invoiced City Power for a mini-substation that already belonged to the entity, with the approval of a manager," he reported. Mangena said that only one of the 15 implicated employees was facing criminal prosecution. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Thabiso Goba at EWN
Norwood police station commander arrested for alleged fraud and theft The Citizen reports that the station commander of the Norwood police station in Johannesburg was arrested on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in theft, fraud and defeating the ends of justice in a case involving R165,000 worth of goods. Colonel Logan Govender was arrested by the Gauteng Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit while he was attending a meeting in Protea, Soweto. He appeared at Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, where the court granted him bail of R3,000 and remanded the case to 29 May 2025. The arrest stems from an incident that happened on 21 August 2020 when the complainant in the matter was approached by the police accompanied by a civilian. According to the police, the commander introduced himself as Colonel Govender from Joburg Central Saps. Stock of Alfacker molasses flavours to the value of R165 000 was confiscated. The police never arrested the owner of the shop, and no criminal case was opened. The next day, the complainant went to the police station, only to find that his goods were not there. The complainant decided to open a case docket. Gauteng Provincial Anti-Corruption received the docket, conducted the investigation, and finalised the case. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided to prosecute both Govender and the civilian who was involved. Officials issued warrants for the arrests of the two suspects. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chulumanco Mahamba at The Citizen Gauteng policeman arrested on Limpopo highway for drug possession TimesLIVE reports that on Wednesday afternoon, Limpopo police arrested a 44-year-old police officer from Gauteng for possession of drugs and driving a suspected stolen motor vehicle along the N1 South outside Polokwane “The police constable from Silverton detectives component was found in possession of 2,095 sachets of nyaope worth about R85,000 and was driving a suspected stolen Nissan NP200 with Gauteng registration plates,” police spokesperson Brig Hlulani Mashaba reported. The suspect’s service pistol was also confiscated during the arrest. He was detained at Westernburg police station and is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Limpopo police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe said any police officer who broke the law would face severe consequences. Hadebe added that the arrest should send a clear warning that no-one was above the law. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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